In the summer of 1985, I went on a photo expedition to discover some of my ancestral roots. One of the highlights of that journey was discovering the burial grands of my great great grandparents, Robert and Sophia Connell behind the old stone church in Yonge Mills just outside of Brockville, Ontario.

The cemetery . . . → Read More: Cemetery Express]]>

In the summer of 1985, I went on a photo expedition to discover some of my ancestral roots. One of the highlights of that journey was discovering the burial grands of my great great grandparents, Robert and Sophia Connell behind the old stone church in Yonge Mills just outside of Brockville, Ontario.

The cemetery is divided in half by the main CN line between Montreal and Toronto. Long before the original Grand Trunk Railroad was first put through this area, a section of land was divided off from one of the early farmsteads to serve as a burial ground. Robert 1830 (directly underneath the train headlights) and Sophia 1846 (above) are among some of the earliest stones that can be found there.

How many travelers have passed through this cemetery over the years? What would they think?

See a photo I took recently upon the return to this same spot.

From Left to right – Clifford Roy, William Henry, Ethel May, Harold Edison (in front), Lucy Adeline and Howard Victor.

1901 Census:

Who died Monday, March 15th, 1920, aged 29 years and 11 months. Will be interred in St. Cuthbert’s Churchyard, on Thursday, March 18th. Service in the house at 2 o’clock.

“And all my days I’ll go the kindlier . . . → Read More: Helen Lottie Good]]> In Loving Memory of Helen Lottie, the dearly beloved wife of Robert Charlton, 26 Western Hill, Durham.

Who died Monday, March 15th, 1920, aged 29 years and 11 months. Will be interred in St. Cuthbert’s Churchyard, on Thursday, March 18th. Service in the house at 2 o’clock.

“And all my days I’ll go the kindlier and sweeter for her dear sake.”

Death Notice:
The Late Mrs Charlton
Filmore, Saskatchewan

The following particulars regarding the death of the late Mrs. Charlton was sent to The Filmore Press by Mr. Thomas Dale, secretary of the Mission Hall, in Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, and will be read with interest and sympathy by both relatives and friends in filmore and district.

We regret to announce the tragically sudden death of Mrs. Charlton, daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Jas. E. Good, and wife of Rev. R. Charlton, Fillmore, Sask., Canada, while on a holiday with her husband and family in the city of Durham, England.

On their arrival in england, Mr. Charlton had been invited by representatives of the English Conference to take charge of large Mission Hall in Newcastle on Tyne, owing to the illness of Rev. Allen F. Parsons. This they did with unqualified success, ministering to 1200 to 1600 people, as well as carrying on the various agencies connected with such a large Mission Hall.

Mrs. Charlton by her cheery, happy nature and her self-forgetting efforts in the interest of others, became endeared to the Novocastrians who admitted her gladly to their hearts and homes. She went to Durham to spend a holiday with Mr. Charlton’s parents; feeling slightly ill, she went to bed and slept peacefully away before the arrival of the doctor. The event has cast a gloom over the west end of Newcastle (city) where Mr. Charlton laboured, and in Durham city, where the Charltons are so well known and highly respected.

Great sympathy is felt for Mr. Charlton and his two little boys, as well as for the relatives of the deceased lady in Canada.

The funeral which was a large and representative one, was conducted by Dr. Darwin, of Liverpool (representatives of Canadian Conference); representatives from all branches of various churches were present, having travelled miles to follow the cortege; also representative councillors, magistrates, doctors, etc., as well as numerous represetatives from collieries in Durham County where W.B. Charlton Esq. is agent. Wreathes were sent from numerous friends. The Rev. Dr. W.O. Darwin conducted memorial service at Westgate Hall, Newcastle on-Tyne on Sunday, 11th April, 1920. The church was crowded.

Her death was the more felt as the members of the church had arranged and promoted a testimonial to Mr. and Mrs. Charlton for their great services during what ought to have been their holiday.

26 Western Hill Rd is the place where my Grandmother Helen Lottie Good died. It is the house of my Great Grandparents, William Browell Charlton and Mary Green. The place my Grandparents were visiting with my father . . . → Read More: 26 Western Hill, Durham]]> Of all the houses in Britain, this is probably the one that means the most to me.

26 Western Hill Rd is the place where my Grandmother Helen Lottie Good died. It is the house of my Great Grandparents, William Browell Charlton and Mary Green. The place my Grandparents were visiting with my father and his younger brother when all of a sudden, everything went wrong.

My Grandfather, the Rev. Robert Charlton, had left his ministry in Saskatchewan to bring his young family back to the place he knew as a child. While there, he accepted a post managing the Westgate Mission Hall in Newcastle. His wife Helen worked by his side. It was a huge undertaking.

The couple were taking a short break and were visiting the Charlton’s at the house in Durham when Helen fell ill and died overnight. The date was March 15th, 1920. Here is anther view looking down Western Hill towards the town (the house is on the left).